FEMA, state OEM damage assessments will determine federal funds

The Cohansey River rages after Sunday's storm dumped more than 10 inches of rain on the region.

BRIDGETON — Inspections that will determine if the county receives any federal funding for storm repairs begin today.

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) will be conducted between the state Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“The fact that they are in the area means we are moving forward” and “the fact that they are following the process before a disaster declaration” gives Freeholder Director Bill Whelan hope.

PDAs are the next step in helping to determine whether the state can pursue federal disaster recovery assistance. Inspections here may continue into the weekend. Procedurally, State OEM and Gov. Chris Christie’s office send a request for aid through FEMA to the president, who would issue a disaster declaration.

Whelan said he has been in touch with the White House, state senators, congressmen, legislators and departments. He “remains optimistic because the process is continuing.

“If they weren’t coming to the area, I would be shouting from the rooftops.”County officials released an initial estimate of $20 million worth of damage done to the 14 municipalities and to county property.

Whelan believes that the initial figure is going to change but he is happy about the state OEM presence and their pending assessments.

“Inspections of flood-damaged areas earlier this week indicated the need to fully engage our federal partners in refining eligible costs,” State Police Superintendent and state OEM Director Rick Fuentes said Thursday in a press release.

Fuentes added involved offices are “looking at options for types of assistance that might be available.

The FEMA/state team tour will provide opportunities for first-hand assessment of the damage and estimate repair costs.

The state uses the results of the PDAs to determine if the situation is beyond the combined capabilities of the state and local resources, and to verify the need for supplemental federal assistance.

State OEM Community Relations Coordinator Mary Goepfert wanted to avoid the idea of any sort of financial threshold amount to be reached before a declaration.

“We look at the local economic impact, what’s insured or not insured. The total picture,” said Geopfert of funding being granted.

Media reports Wednesday indicated Gov. Christie was awaiting a damage assessment report from the state OEM before issuing a disaster declaration.

“That was incorrect,” said Geopfert. “The state didn’t announce it that way. They said they had people in the field.”

When asked if she believed the governor would still be issuing a disaster declaration for the region, Geopfert paused and said “I don’t believe so, no.”

Mother Nature employed a sort of “soaked earth policy” last Sunday that left trails of devastation through the City Park. During World War II, the Russian army had a similar strategy to the same effect.

It was calm early Thursday afternoon in the City Park as residents walked along the path that runs parallel with Mayor Aitken Drive and the Raceway. Others trekked through thick mud and brush behind the Cohanzick Zoo to the north.

Drivers passing through the park nearly slowed to a stop at some points while looking out their windows at the recently reorganized landscape.

Park Drive remained blocked off after flood waters flowed right over it. Entrance to lake-side parking was made difficult by highway cones.

Sewer Department workers Rick Scott and Aaron Pettit were on their lunch break by Sunset Lake. They came by to take a look at what was left and were greeted by stretches of mud and water congregating in the lake against Park Drive.

“A lot of city equipment got flooded out,” said Scott, namely air compressors, power generators and water pumps.

The Water Department Office took a hard hit as well. They’re operating out of a command center at this point and assessors were out Thursday morning to inspect equipment and their building.

Public Works Department Director Dean Dellaquila was up by Alden Field Thursday afternoon. He is also waiting to hear about funding.

“I’m not sure where we’re at as far as dollars and cents. We’re still assessing,” said Dellaquila.

The city has been in constant contact with agencies who arrived in the area starting Sunday, when he described conditions that evening as a nightmare.

Those groups include the county OEM, the State Police Emergency Response Team and the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Dam Safety and Flood Control.

The Raceway is his biggest concern at the moment. When asked about the present conditions at Sunset Lake, he said “It’s pretty much going to stay empty.”

Lake waters drain to the Raceway, as they always have, but are now going out the approximately 1,200 foot breach left by Sunday’s storming currents

“We take two steps forward and now this one big step back,” said Dellaquila.